| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 2 | Became a Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 3 | Continued as Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | You inadvertently cause a conflict between the Imperium and a minor world or race. Gain a Rival. |
| 4 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 30 |
| 4 | Is now a Crewman |
| 4 | A good deal ensures you are living the high life for a few years. |
| 5 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 34 |
| 5 | Embroiled in legal trouble. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Is now a Senior Crewman |
| 6 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 38 |
| 6 | Befriend a useful ally in one sphere. Gain an Ally. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 6 | Is now a 4th Officer |
| 7 | Voluntarily left Merchant Marine |
| 7 | Switched to Explorer at age 42 |
| 7 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 8 | Continued as Explorer at age 46 |
| 8 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 8 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 9 | Continued as Explorer at age 50 |
| 9 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 9 | Gain 5 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Retired at age 54 |
| 10 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |